Page 39 of Enticing the Elf
I smile and hold the door for him. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
Inside, we’re greeted by a cheerful young woman who recognizes Dáithí. “She’s all ready for you!” she announces. “Did you bring a carrier for the car trip?”
Dáithí shakes his head, reaching into his pocket and producing a collar and leash. “We’re walking home, so I thought I’d carry her.”
Momentary doubt crosses the woman’s face. “You’re not going to drive?” she checks. “Because if there’s an accident and?—”
“We’re definitely not driving,” I assure her. “That’s why Dáithí brought me—to make sure nobody bumps into him while he’s carrying her. I’m Eoin, by the way.”
“I’m Sandra.” She bites her lip. “Do you live close by?” I can tell she’s still unsure about the whole walking thing but doesn’t want to accuse us of lying.
“Dáithí’s place is about fifteen minutes from here—off Sturt Street.”
She relaxes, her smile returning. “It’s such a nice night for a walk too. Okay, I’ll go get her while you read through and sign these forms, and then you’ll be all set.” She pushes a clipboard across the counter, then disappears through a door.
Dáithí picks up a pen and starts skimming the form. “You’re going to carry her, hm?” I ask. “So a small pet.”
He nods absently, initialing a paragraph.
“But not something like a lizard, that needs an aquarium.”
That wins me a glance. “Nope. But we will be stopping at a pet store for me to buy some supplies.”
Ah, that explains why he wants me and my portal ability here.
He scrawls his signature at the bottom of the last form, then pushes the clipboard away just as Sandra emerges through the doorway, her arms full of something fluffy.
I blink. “Is that a rabbit?” Of all the animals I was considering, this was not one of them.
Dáithí eagerly holds out his arms and takes her, cuddling her close. “Her name is Elsking.”
The happy glow as he bends his face to press against her furry little head is all I need. It’s my life’s mission to see that glow on his face every day.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Dáithí
Staring into my closet,I try to work out what exactly Eoin has in mind and which outfit would work best for it. Unfortunately, I can’t get his instruction of “dress nice” to line up with the fact that we’re going to a baseball game.
It’s confusing.
When he told me two days ago that the first of the dates he’d planned included the ball game this afternoon, it was both a relief and a tiny disappointment. I do like baseball—as much as I like any sport—and I especially like getting outside in the fresh air and sunshine to perv on physically fit young men in tight pants. There’s no downside there. Eoin’s picked something that he knows we’ll both enjoy, which is the point of all this, isn’t it? I guess I just thought…
Honestly, I don’t know what I thought. This is a good, solid start.
But it still leaves me with the dilemma of what to wear. Jeans—or shorts, if it’s hot enough—and a tee are my usual choices in situations like this, but Eoin said I’d regret it if I wore that.
Turning around, I ask Elsking, who’s exploring my bed, “It has to be jeans, right? Even if he’s planning to go somewherefancy for dinner after, he can’t expect me to wear dress pants to a ball game.”
She grunts and burrows her head under my pillow, and I smile. I’ve only had her two days, but already it feels like she’s always been here. I was right to adopt again—it’s been too long.
“Chinos, maybe?” I muse. “But that still feels pretentious.”
Her hindquarters quiver, and I resist the temptation to go over and stroke her. I already spent half the morning loving on her, and it won’t be fair to either of us if I start again when I have to leave in…
I glance at my watch. Twenty minutes. Fuck.
“Jeans,” I tell her decisively. “But nice ones. And a going-out shirt. If it’s still not nice enough for dinner, I can come home and change first.” I grab my best jeans, the ones I wear to casual work functions. There are no strategically placed rips or studs, but they are indecently tight. It’s not in me to own a pair of jeans that don’t show off my assets.